South Africa needs to boost its economy by creating more jobs in manufacturing to reduce poverty and inequality. The focus is on how the manufacturing sector can grow in a way that requires more workers. The study looks at how trade policies have affected manufacturing, with case studies on clothing/textiles and petrochemicals. The results show that trade policies have led to more capital-intensive manufacturing, which may not create as many jobs. The study suggests that changes in industrial policy are needed to promote labor-intensive growth in South Africa's manufacturing sector.